Guide to legal citation, not a style guide

Devised by Professor Peter Birks in 2000

Legal writing is more persuasive
Common practice in UK legal citation
 Material Footnote Example Reference List Example
Type

Book: S. Ratnagar, Trading Encounters:

1 
Ratnagar, S., Trading
Single From the Euphrates to the Indus in Encounters: From the
Author1 the Bronze Age, New Delhi, Oxford Euphrates to the Indus in
University Press, 2004, p. 23. the Bronze Age, New Delhi,
Oxford University Press,
2004.
Book: 2 or 3 1 A. Blackledge and A. Blackledge, A., and A.
Authors1 Creese, Multilingualism: a Critical Creese, Multilingualism: a
Perspective, London, Continuum, Critical
2010, p. 10.   Perspective, London,
Continuum, 2010. 
Book: More 1 A. Kring, G.C. Davison, J.M. Kring, A., G.C. Davison,
Than 3 Neale, and S. Johnson, Abnormal J.M. Neale and S.
Authors Psychology, 11th edn., Hoboken, Johnson, Abnormal
NJ, John Wiley & Sons, 2010, p. Psychology, 11th edn.,
40.  Hoboken, NJ, John
Wiley & Sons, 2010.
Material Type Footnote Example Reference List Example

Book: No 1
The Cambridge Companion to The Cambridge Companion to
Author Postmodernism, Cambridge, Postmodernism, Cambridge,
U.K., Cambridge University U.K., Cambridge University
Press, 2004, p. 70. Press, 2004.
Book: J.M. Foley (ed.), A Companion Foley, J.M. (ed.), A Companion
1 

Editor To Ancient Epic, Oxford, To Ancient Epic, Oxford,

Wiley-Blackwell, 2009, pp. 25- Wiley-Blackwell, 2009.
30.
Book: Y. Aralawa, Zen Painting, Arakawa, Y., Zen Painting,
1 

Translator trans. J. Bester, Tokyo, trans. J. Bester, Tokyo,

& Author Kodansha International, 1970, Kodansha International, 1970.
p. 75.
Book: 1 
Australian Bureau of Australian Bureau of
Organisatio Statistics, Queensland Statistics, Queensland
n as Author Office, The Economic Status of Office, The Economic Status of
Migrants in Migrants in
Australia, Canberra, Australian Australia, Canberra,
Govt. Pub. Service, 1990, p. Australian Govt. Pub. Service,
Material
Footnote Example
Type
Book: 1 
J. Baker, 'The Place of Science
Chapter or and Technology in the Wise
Article in Management of the Great
Edited Book Barrier Reef', in E. Wolanski
(ed.),Oceanographic Processes of
Coral Reefs: Physical and
Biological Links in the Great
Barrier Reef, Boca Raton, CRC
Press, 2001, pp. 14-20.
Reference List Example
Baker, J., 'The Place of
Science and Technology in the
Wise Management of the
Great Barrier Reef', in
Wolanski, E.
(ed.),Oceanographic Processes
of Coral Reefs: Physical and
Biological Links in the Great
Barrier Reef, Boca Raton,
CRC Press, 2001, pp. 14-20.

Book, 1 
M.J. Sargent, P. Nilan, Sargent, M.J., P. Nilan
edition and G. Winter, The New and G. Winter, The New
other Sociology for Sociology for
than first. Australians, 4th edn., Australians, 4th edn.,
Melbourne, Longman Melbourne, Longman
Australia, 1997, p. 140. Australia, 1997.
E-book V. Koller, Metaphor
1 
Koller, V., Metaphor
and Gender in and Gender in
Business Media Business Media
Discourse: A Critical Discourse: A Critical
Cognitive Study, New Cognitive Study, New
York, Palgrave York, Palgrave
Macmillan, 2004, pp. Macmillan, 2004,
75-80, Available Available from: E-
from: E-Book Library, Book Library,
(accessed (accessed
23 September 2010). 23 September 2010).
 Material
Footnote Example Reference List Example
Type
V. Koller, ‘Business
1 

Media on Marketing: Koller, V., 'Business Media

Metaphors of War, on Marketing: Metaphors
Sports and Games, of War, Sports and Games',
E-book:
in Metaphor and Gender in Metaphor and Gender in
Chapter
in Business Media Business Media Discourse:
or Article
Discourse: A Critical A Critical Cognitive
in an
Cognitive Study, New Study, New York, Palgrave
Edited E-
York, Palgrave Macmillan, 2004, pp. 64-
book
Macmillan, 2004, pp. 64- 113. Available from: E-
113. Available from: E- Book Library, (accessed
Book Library, (accessed 23 September 2010).
23 September 2010).
 Journal Articles
Material Type Footnote Example Reference List Example
Journal 1 
S. Mintz, ‘Food Enigmas, Mintz, S., ’Food Enigmas,
Article: Colonial and Colonial and Postcolonial’,
single author Postcolonial’,Gastronomica, vo Gastronomica, vol. 10, no. 1,
(print) l. 10, no.1, 2010, p. 149. 2010, p. 149.
P. Addo and N. Besnier, ‘When
1 
Addo, P., and N. Besnier, ‘When
Gifts Become Commodities: Gifts Become Commodities:
Journal
Pawnshops, Valuables, and Shame Pawnshops, Valuables, and Shame in
Article: 2 or 3
in Tonga and the Tongan Tonga and the Tongan
authors (print
Diaspora’, Journal of the Royal Diaspora’, Journal of the Royal
)
Anthropological Institute, vol. 14, Anthropological Institute, vol. 14, no.
no. 1, 2008, p. 39. 1, 2008, p. 39.
M. Spencer et al., ‘Analyzing
1 
Spencer, M. et al., ‘Analyzing the
the Order of Items in
Journal Order of Items in Manuscripts of
Manuscripts of “the
Article: 3 or “the Canterbury
Canterbury
more author Tale”’, Computers and the
Tales”’, Computers and the
s (print)  Humanities, vol. 37, no. 1, 2003,
Humanities, vol. 37, no. 1,
pp. 97-109.
2003, pp. 97-109.
Material
Footnote Example Reference List Example
Type

K. Toffoletti, ‘How is Gender-

1 
based Violence Covered in the
Sporting News? An Account of
Journal
the Australian Football League
Article:
Sex Scandal’, Women’s Studies
Electronic
International Forum, vol. 30, no.
Database
5, 2007, p. 427. Available from
ProQuest, (accessed 23 February
2010).
Toffoletti, K. ‘How is Gender-
based Violence Covered in the
Sporting News? An Account of
the Australian Football League
Sex Scandal’, Women’s Studies
International Forum, vol. 30, no.
5, 2007, p. 427. Available from
ProQuest, (accessed 23 February
2010).

K.R. Moore, ‘Was Pythagoras

1 
Moore, K.R., 'Was Pythagoras
Journal Ever Really in Sparta?’, Ever Really in Sparta?',
Article: Rosetta, no. 6 Spring, 2009,  Rosetta, no. 6 Spring, 2009, 
Website http://www.rosetta.bham.ac.uk, http://www.rosetta.bham.ac.uk,
(accessed 10 September 2010). (accessed 10 September 2010).
 Newspapers
Material
Footnote Example Reference List Example
Type
Boyd, R., ‘The City of
Newspaper 1 R. Boyd, ‘The City of Sordid
Sordid
article: Splendour’, Australian, 26 August
Splendour’, Australian, 26
print 1964, p. 10.
August 1964, p. 10.
Brooks, K., ‘No Surprise in
Newspaper 1 K. Brooks, ‘No Surprise in Big Bro
Big Bro Demise,’ Courier-
article: Demise,’ Courier-Mail, 16 July 2008,
Mail, 16 July 2008,
Electronic Available from Factiva, (accessed 3
Available from Factiva,
Database March 2008).
(accessed 3 March 2008).

1 
S. Bredow, ‘Powder to the Bredow, S., ’Powder to the
Newspaper People’, Sydney Morning Herald, 7 June People', Sydney Morning
article: 2008,  Herald, 7 June 2008, 
Website http://www.smh.com.au/news/ski/powder- http://www.smh.com.au/news/s
to-the-people/2008/06/04/1212258872379.h ki/powder-to-the-people/2008/0
tml 6/04/1212258872379.html
, (accessed 3 March 2008). , (accessed 3 March 2008).
 Primary Sources
Material
Footnote Example Reference List Example
Type
Dewell, George, Theft,
George
1 
Dewell, Theft, Simple Larceny.
Simple Larceny. Proceedings Proceedings of the Old
of the Old Bailey, 16th Bailey, 16th February
February 1832, page 28. Ref 1832, page 28. Ref No:
No: t18320216-60,  t18320216-60, 
Historic
http://www.oldbaileyonline.o http://www.oldbaileyonlin
al rg/index.jsp e.org/index.jsp
Sources  (accessed 20 February  (accessed 20 February
2010). 2010).  
1 
Lord Cathcart, Diary: Diary or Journal kept by
Transcript, 1709-28. 16 vols. Lord Cathcart:
[A25-A40] National Library Transcript, 1709-28. 16
of Scotland. vols. [A25-A40] National
 Thesis

Material
Footnote Example Reference List Example
Type
 Malsem, C.,
 C.
1 
Maslem,
‘Melancholic
‘Melancholic
Identification and
Identification and
Nostalgic Fantasy in
Thesis   Nostalgic Fantasy in the
the Novels of Jean
  Novels of Jean
Rhys’, PhD Thesis,
Rhys’, PhD Thesis,
University of
University of Western
Western Australia,
Australia, 2005, p. 55.
2005.
 Internet/Websites
Material
Footnote Example Reference List Example
Type
1 
B. Dibble, and B. Milech, ‘Elizabeth Dibble, B., and B. Milech, ‘Elizabeth
Jolley Research Collection’,  Jolley Research Collection', 
Website
http://john.curtin.edu.au/jolley/index. http://john.curtin.edu.au/jolley/index.
html html
, 2008, (accessed 1 August 2010). , 2008, (accessed 1 August 2010).   

1 
E. Woodbury, ‘Manga Circulation Woodbury, E., ‘Manga Circulation in
in Japan’, Ooburoshiki,[web blog], 1 Japan’, Ooburoshiki,[web blog], 1
 Blog February 2010, February 2010,
http://eugenewoodbury.blogspot.com/ http://eugenewoodbury.blogspot.com/
2010/02/manga-circulation-in-japan.h 2010/02/manga-circulation-in-japan.ht
tml ml
, (accessed 19 January 2010). , (accessed 19 January 2010).  
 1 
R. Leighton, Surf Sirens, Manly Leighton, R., Surf Sirens, Manly
Beach, New South Wales, 1938-46 Beach, New South Wales, 1938-46
Digital
[online photograph],  [online photograph], 
Image
http://nla.gov.au/nla.pic-an14035743- http://nla.gov.au/nla.pic-an14035743-4
4 , (accessed 12 June 2010).  
, (accessed 12 June 2010).
 Multimedia/Audio-Visual

Material
Footnote Example Reference List Example
Type
The Red Badge of Courage, dir. John The Red Badge of Courage,
1 
Film or
Huston, USA, MGM, 1951, dir. Huston, J., USA, MGM,
broadcast
[videocassette]. 1951, [videocassette]. 
An Occasionally Accurate
1 
An Occasionally Accurate History of
History of Australia: Part I,
Australia: Part I, [online video],
Web [online video],
Video
2006, 
2006, http://www.youtube.com
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJ
jNsCVHc34 /watch?v=IJjNsCVHc34,
, (accessed 6 October 2010). (accessed 6 October 2010).

'Fungi and Mould', The

Fungi and Mould’, The Health
1 ’
Health Report, ABC Radio
Report, ABC Radio National 1999,
National 1999, [podcast]
Broadcast [broadcast]http://www.abc.net.au/m/
http://www.abc.net.au/m/healt
healthreport/stories/1999/48140.htm,
hreport/stories/1999/48140.ht
(accessed 10 March 2003).
m, (accessed 10 March 2003).
 Conference Proceedings

Material
Footnote Example Reference List Example
Type
G. Kozicz, ‘Architecture of
1 
Kozicz, G., ‘Architecture of
the Empty Shells of Nyar ma’, the Empty Shells of Nyar
Discoveries in Western Tibet ma’, Discoveries in Western
and the Western Himalayas: Tibet and the Western
Essays on History, Literature, Himalayas: Essays on
Archaeology and Art: PIATS History, Literature,
Conference Archaeology and Art: PIATS
Proceeding
2003, Tibetan Studies, 2003, Tibetan Studies,
Proceedings of the Tenth Proceedings of the Tenth
Seminar of the International Seminar of the International
Association for Tibetan Association for Tibetan
Studies. Oxford, Oxford Studies. Oxford, Oxford
University Press, 2006, pp.
University Press, 2006, pp. 41- 41-54.
42.
 Citing Information Someone Else has Cited
Material Reference List
Footnote Example
Type Example
In the reference list
Citing
10
 A. Smith, Italian provide the details
information architecture, Penguin, of the author who
someone else Melbourne, 2000, cited has done the citing:
has cited in D. Brown,
[citing Brown, Renaissance D., Renaissance
“Secondary” Italy, London, Faber Italy, London,
Sources]
and Faber, 2002, p. 45. Faber and Faber,
2002, p. 45.
 Cases
and
Legislation
 Cases
7 DPP (WA) v Silbert, 2000, 112, A Crim R, 88

Phipps v Boardman [1967] 2 AC 46 (HL).

Boulting v Association of Cinematograph,

Television and Allied Technicians [1963] 2 QB
606 (CA)
Re Bernard L Madoff Investment Securities LLC
[2009] EWHC 442 (Ch), [2010] BCC 328
 Legislation

Trustees Act 1962 (WA)  s 90

Human Rights Act 1998

Bills

Corporations Amendment Bill No 1 2005 (Cth)

Subsequent citations
 Latin ‘gadgets’
Ibid In the same place •Joseph Raz, The Authority
(ibidem) referring to the same source as in of Law: Essays on Law and
the immediately preceding Morality (2nd edn, OUP
2009).
reference. Ibid may be used after a
• ibid 6
supra, or even after another ibid.
Supra Referring to a source & 1. R v Sharpe, 2001 SCC
“Above.” 2, [2001] 1 SCR 45 at
already provided a full para 25
citation but Not immediately 4. Sharpe, supra note 1 at
preceding authority. para 26.

Infra Reference will be further 1. Infra pp. 11–12

below, discussed or cited later in the 2. See infra p. 98 and
under, note 123
Beneath
same document.
Ante Reference to a previous portio
Before n of a report or textbook.
Synonym with
Supra
 Latin ‘gadgets’
Id If the authority is the same as the immediately
preceding authority.
op cit  opere used in an endnote or footnote to refer the reader
citato "in the to a previously cited work, standing in for
work cited" repetition of the full title of the work
loc cit Loco use is similar to that of ibid. but not only does this
citato in the phrase refer you to the same work just citied but
place cited also the same place in that work such as a page
number or paragraph number.
contra I know that this source is on the other side of what
I just said.  Contrary of the proposition with
which the citation is associated

Avoid Heavy Usage

Of infra, supra, op. cit, loc. Cit *
 Parts of Statutes

part/parts pt/pts Consumer Protection Act 1987,

s2

section/sections s/ss Human Rights Act 1998, s

15(1)(b)

subsection/subsectio sub-s/sub-ss Criminal Attempts Act 1981,

ss 1(1) and 4(3).
ns
paragraph/paragrap para/paras
hS
subparagraph/subp subpara/subpar
aragraphs as
schedule/schedules sch /schs
THE END
Authored Books – Edition – Rev. Edition –
Volumes Edited - Translated Books -
Encyclopedias
Encyclopedias - Articles
Online Journal
Conference papers – Theses - Websites and blogs –
Articles in Newspaper & Web
Interviews - letters - emails
Punctuation, ranges of numbers & years, & foreign words

• Malcolm v DPP [2007] EWHC 363 (Admin),

[2007] 1 WLR 1230
• JG Fleming, ‘Remoteness and Duty: The
Control Devices in Liability for Negligence’
(1953) 31 Can Bar Rev 471
 Citing secondary sources
• Hart wrote that the doctrine of precedent…. the earlier case’. 1
• 1. HLA Hart, The Concept of Law (2nd edn, Clarendon Press 1994) 135.

Order of sources in footnotes

• 1. FH Newark, ‘The Boundaries of Nuisance’ (1949) 65 LQR 480;
Richard Kidner, ‘Nuisance and Rights of Property’ [1998] Conv 267;
Ken Oliphant, ‘Unblurring the Boundaries of Nuisance’ (1998) 6 Tort L
Rev 21; Paula Giliker, ‘Whither the Tort of Nuisance? The Implications
of Restrictions on the Right to Sue in Hunter v Canary Wharf’ (1999) 7
Torts LJ 155.
• 2. Brent v Haddon (1619) Cro Jac 555, 79 ER 476; Broder v Saillard
(1876) 2 Ch D 692 (Ch); Pemberton v Bright [1960] 1 All ER 792 (CA).See
also Torette House Pty Ltd v Berkman (1939) 62 CLR 637, 659 (Dixon J).
 Subsequent citation of legislation
Council Directive (EC) 93/104 concerning
certain aspects of the organisation of
working time [1993] OJ L307/18 (Working
Time Directive).
…
40 Working Time Directive, art 2.
 Subsequent citation of a book
1. Robert Stevens, Torts and Rights
(OUP 2007).
…
2. 26 Stevens (n 1) 110.
3. 27 ibid 271–78.
Subsequent citation of two works by the same author
 Andrew Ashworth, ‘Testing Fidelity to Legal
Values: Official Involvement and Criminal
Justice’ (2000) 63 MLR 633, 635.
 28 Andrew Ashworth, Principles of Criminal
Law (6th edn, OUP 2009) 68.
…
 35 Ashworth, ‘Testing Fidelity to Legal Values’
(n 27) 635-37.
Cross-references
Incorporate quotations of up to 3 lines into the text,
within single quotation marks

• The Chief Justice explained that this

power ‘is not limited to defence against
aggression from a foreign nation’. 61
• Bix raises the question, ‘What is the point
of a dissent, after all, at least on the
highest court of the jurisdiction, if the law
simply is whatever the majority on that
court says it is?’ 22
 Present quotations longer than 3 lines in an indented
paragraph, with no further indentation of the first line

 [T]he House of Lords also concluded that the civil

standard of proof (on the balance of probabilities)
should be applied in such a way as to be sensitive to
the ‘seriousness of the matters to be proved and the
implications of proving them’, which in effect
means proof beyond reasonable doubt (i.e. the
criminal standard).27
 27 Andrew Ashworth, ‘Social Control and “Anti-
Social Behaviour”: The Subversion of Human
Rights’ (2004) 120 LQR 263, 276, citing Clingham
and McCann [2002] UKHL 39, [2003] 1 AC 787 [83]
(Lord Hope).
• Lord Hoffmann reasoned as follows:
• It seems to me logical to found liability for damages
upon the intention of the parties (objectively
ascertained) because all contractual liability is
voluntarily undertaken.It must be in principle
wrong to hold someone liable for risks for which
people entering into such a contract in their
particular market, would not reasonably be
considered to have undertaken.12
• 12 Transfield Shipping Inc v Mercator Shipping Inc
(The Achilleas) [2008] UKHL 48, [2009] 1 AC 61 [12]
(Lord Hoffmann) (emphasis added).
•  

•    
•   
• 1 

•